Jimmy Herman facts for kids

Jimmy Herman (born October 25, 1940 – died September 13, 2013) was an Indigenous Canadian actor. He was known for his roles in many movies and TV shows. One of his most famous movies was Dances with Wolves.

About Jimmy Herman

Early Life and Education

Jimmy Herman was born on October 25, 1940, in Alberta, Canada. He was born on the Cold Lake Reserve. His family background included Chipewyan and Dene heritage.

In 1980, Jimmy moved to Edmonton, Alberta. There, he studied at Grant MacEwan College. He joined their Native Communications Program. This program helped Indigenous people learn about media and communication.

While studying, Jimmy received the Malcolm Calliou Award. This award recognized his strong desire to succeed. He also wanted to inspire other Indigenous people to achieve their goals. After graduating, he worked for Native Counseling Services of Alberta. He was a media assistant. In this job, he did voice-over work for different groups. These included ACCESS radio and the National Film Board.

Start of His Acting Career

Jimmy Herman's interest in acting began with a small role. He appeared in a TV pilot program called John Cat. This show was based on a book by W. P. Kinsella. After this experience, Jimmy decided to become an actor. He left his job at Native Counseling Services.

In April 1989, a casting agent from Los Angeles chose him for a movie. This movie was Dances With Wolves. In the film, Jimmy played a Sioux warrior named Stone Calf. This role helped him become well-known.

Later Roles and Recognition

After Dances With Wolves, Jimmy Herman acted in many films and TV series. He worked in both Canada and the United States. He had a small part in the Oscar-winning Western movie, Unforgiven. He also appeared in the TV film Crazy Horse.

Jimmy was also in an episode of The X-Files. For six years, he played Joe Gomba. This character was a fur trapper on CBC's TV show North of 60.

In 2005, Jimmy Herman was honored in Edmonton. The Dreamspeakers Film Festival Society added him to the Aboriginal Walk of Fame. This recognized his important contributions.

Community Work and Activism

Jimmy Herman often spoke to Indigenous youth. He visited schools and special events. He shared his story and encouraged young people.

He also became involved in political activism. He worked to find peaceful solutions for issues affecting Indigenous communities. He spoke up about Aboriginal treaty rights. These are important agreements between Indigenous peoples and governments. Jimmy worked to improve life in Treaty 6 communities.

Film and Television Roles

See also

In Spanish: Jimmy Herman para niños